The Monasteries of Meteora Greece

Examples of Byzantine Style Churches and Post-Byzantine Artwork

Apr 29, 2009

The monasteries were mostly built during the 15th Century and reflect the art and architecture of the Byzantine period thus preserving an important part of Greek history.

When Turkish occupation began in 1453 ending the Byzantine era, monks and artists fled to mountain monasteries carrying with them the great works of the Hellenes. "Their 16th-century frescoes mark a key stage in the development of post-Byzantine painting." UNESCO (1988 World Heritage inscription.)

The monk Varlaam, the first known inhabitant of this rock, built the church of the Three Hierarchs in 1350. In 1518 two brothers decided to restore the property and rebuilt the church over the old ruins. In addition they built the All Saints and St. John the Baptist Churches. Mektarios and Theophanes Apsaras, brothers from one of the leading Ioannina families, are credited as the founders of the monastery.

The All Saints Church is built in the shape of a cross with domes built over the center and on the west entrance. The nave and sanctuary paintings were completed in 1548 by Frangos Katelanos and those in the portico were done in 1566 by the priest George of Thebes. The Three Hierarchs Church was rebuilt in 1627 and decorated in 1637 by the monks Cyril and Sergios.

The treasury contains saintly relics, vestments, church vessels, an embroidered 'epitaphios' (icon of the Saviour entombed) and a library.

Monastery Rousanou

The monks Nikodemos and Benedict are believed to have founded the monastery in 1380. The church was rebuilt in the Byzantine style in 1545 by Maximos and Joasaph and decorated with beautiful wall paintings that, although over 400 years old, are still in excellent condition.

The hanging ladders on the northern wall of the monastery were replaced in 1897 by two movable wooden bridges that spanned the gap between the rock and the hillside. This too was replaced in 1930 with a permanent bridge.

Monastery of Saint Stephen

This monastery sits at the most southern part of Meteora and enjoys the best view of Kalambaka in the valley below. A 25 foot bridge connects it to the hillside and since the rock is not steep, it is believed to have been settled as early as 1200.

The St. Stephen Martyr was built in 1300 by the monk Jeremias and the Fathers Theophanes and Ambrose built the St. Kharalambos in 1798. The latter contains wood carvings above and around the alter.

The treasury contains many precious articles such as saintly relics housed in silver, gold embroidered vestments and belts and an illuminated codex.

Monastery St. Nicholas Anapavsas

Built in 1527 by Archbishop Dionysios of Larisa, this monastery contains many paintings from the well-known post-Byzantine artist Theophanes, the Cretan monk. His work suffered when the monastery was uninhabited but recently they have been restored.

Monastery of the Holy Trinity

The Holy Trinity was believed to be built sometime between 1458 and 1476 by a monk named Dometios. It is built in the form of a cross in Byzantine style with a low dome supported by two internal columns. Wall paintings dating back to 1692 adorn the walls.

In 1888 the ladder that provided the only means of access to the monastery was replaced by a ramp, that was later modified into steps in 1925.

Monastery of Transfiguration

This monastery sits on Meteora's largest rock and is 2100 feet above sea level. Four churches exist here; St. Athanasios, SS Constantine and Helen, St John the Baptist and the Transfiguration of the Saviour. The last church is the largest and oldest church in Meteora built by Athanasios before 1380 and then rebuilt and enlarged in 1387-88 and 1541-42.

The carved and gilded screen (1791) in the sanctuary, along with the carved abbot's throne inlaid with mother-of-pearl (1616-17) are examples of the outstanding craftsmanship of the time. The walls are covered with 15th-century paintings.

The treasury has the first abbot's gold-embroidered mitre, silver and gold vessels, vestments embroidered in gold and pearls and other precious articles.

Stairs, hewn out of the rock in 1923, replace the ladders that were once used to access the monastery.

Note

Women must wear skirts that fall below the knee. A wrap is provided if you are wearing shorts or pants. Men must cover their arms.

Source

Greek National Tourist Organization of Kalambaka. Edition: Georg. Tzioras-Kalabaka

The copyright of the article The Monasteries of Meteora Greece in Greek History is owned by Beverly Yip. Permission to republish The Monasteries of Meteora Greece in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.